SB 79 - This act, subject to the approval of the Medicaid State Plan Amendment or waiver by the Health Care Financing Administration, would allow a person applying for long-term care Medicaid benefits and whose assets exceed the eligibility requirements by up to $5,000, to become eligible by paying an amount equal to the excess resources less $2,000 of such resources used to fund an irrevocable prearranged funeral or burial contract or less $2,000 used to pay outstanding medical bills for the applicant. These arrangements must be made within 60 days from notice of ineligibility when the assets are liquid and within 120 days of notice of ineligibility for non-liquid assets. The act also requires every personal representative, administrator ad item, guardian, conservator or attorney to notify any governmental entity providing public assistance of the death of an individual who received or could have reasonably received public assistance within 30 days after the filing of the first probate filing.
CHERYL GRAZIER